# Sign Regulations in Watauga, Texas

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Watauga, Texas, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Watauga, Texas (TX)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/texas/watauga
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/TX/Watauga/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=SPBLADE_CH111SI)

## At a glance

Watauga, Texas regulates 16 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Subdivision/New Development Signs in the SFA, SF6, D, MF, MH zoning district are capped at 20 ft tall and 200 sq ft, with a 20 ft behind curb; outside visibility triangle setback (Sec. Sec. 111-88). Most commercial signs in Watauga require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| SFA, SF6, D, MF, MH | 7 | 20 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| LB, GB, C, I, M-2 | 11 | 25 ft; may increase 1 ft for each additional 1 ft setback; max 30 ft | 250 sq ft (regular); shopping center: 30 sq ft per tenant, up to 325 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 2 sq ft (larger subject to city council approval) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### SFA, SF6, D, MF, MH

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional or Informational Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 111-23(b)(3) |
| Temporary Sign (Residential Sale/Lease) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On individually platted residential property or any yard | — | Sec. 111-87(1) |
| Political Sign | 8 ft | 36 sq ft | — | — | — | Private property only; not on public property, right-of-way, utility poles, signs, or vegetation. | — | Sec. 111-90 |
| Directional 'Open House' Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 6 allowed per open house | Property other than the house for sale; not on public property or right-of-way. | — | Sec. 111-87(4) |
| Temporary Sign (General) | — | 70 sq ft | — | 20 ft from curb/street unless wall-mounted closer than 20 ft; 100 ft from other temp signs | — | Private property only; not within 20 ft of curb or street except if mounted to wall of building closer than 20 ft; not within 100 ft of another temporary sign. | — | Sec. 111-86 |
| Subdivision/New Development Sign | 20 ft | 200 sq ft | — | 20 ft behind curb; outside visibility triangle | 1 on-site and 1 off-site per project | On-site or off-site; must be on private property within appropriate zoning district. | — | Sec. 111-88 |
| Civic/Religious Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On organization or private property (with owner approval) | — | Sec. 111-91 |

### LB, GB, C, I, M-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 20% of exposed area of wall; may increase to 25% if ground sign is permitted but not used | — | — | — | Affixed to building wall in these districts. | — | Sec. 111-84(e)(1)-(2) |
| Freestanding/Ground Sign (Development or Shopping/Business Center) | 25 ft; may increase 1 ft for each additional 1 ft setback; max 30 ft | 250 sq ft (regular); shopping center: 30 sq ft per tenant, up to 325 sq ft | — | Front: 7 ft (10 ft for center); Side: 10% lot width; must not project over property line or within 10 ft of curb. | 1 per development lot; exceptions at intersections | On development lot. At intersection, can have 1 per major street (city council may allow); or 1 at the corner. | — | Sec. 111-84(a)(2); 111-84(a)(2)a-b |
| Roof Sign | 10 ft above roof/eave line | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per development | On roof of building | — | Sec. 111-84(b) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per development | Suspended or supported from a building or structure | — | Sec. 111-84(c) |
| Pennant or Flag | — | — | — | — | — | On-site; not projecting over property line or driveway approach. | — | Sec. 111-84(f) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 70 sq ft | — | 20 ft from curb/street unless wall-mounted closer than 20 ft; 100 ft from other temp signs | — | Private property only; not within 20 ft of curb or street except if mounted to wall of building closer than 20 ft; not within 100 ft of another temporary sign. | — | Sec. 111-86 |
| Political Sign | 8 ft | 36 sq ft | — | — | — | Private property only; not on public property, right-of-way, utility poles, signs, or vegetation. | — | Sec. 111-90 |
| Subdivision/New Development Sign | 20 ft | 200 sq ft | — | 20 ft behind curb. | 1 on-site and 1 off-site per project | On-site or off-site; must be on private property within appropriate zoning district. | — | Sec. 111-88 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Memorial Sign or Historical Tablet | — | 2 sq ft (larger subject to city council approval) | — | — | — | On building | — | Sec. 111-85(d) |
| Changeable Electronic Variable Message Sign (On-Premises) | — | — | — | — | — | Monument signs only (except for conversion of existing billboards) | — | Sec. 111-85(i) |

## Prohibited signs in Watauga

- No person shall erect, alter or add to a sign or sign structure without a permit unless exempted.
- No sign permit shall be issued until all existing signs on the property or development conform to the ordinance.
- No sign permit shall be issued for a sign that violates state outdoor advertising laws unless the applicant has an appropriate license.
- No sign shall be erected in a manner that interferes with fire escapes, exits, standpipes, windows, required ventilators, doorways, or stairways.
- No sign or billboard shall encroach upon or over city-owned or controlled property without an encroachment permit.
- No sign may project more than six inches from the face of a building over private property used by the public unless there is sufficient vertical clearance.
- Rotating, moving, flashing, changing, or blinking signs are not allowed, except approved message signs.
- No new off-premises signs (including billboards and off-premises changeable electronic variable message signs) are permitted, except government signs.
- No sign or advertising is allowed on vehicles except signs painted or mounted directly to the vehicle’s surface; no roof-mounted or projecting vehicle signs except those for ongoing businesses or temporary political advertising.
- Lighting for signs must avoid glare or reflection onto adjacent properties or create traffic hazards.
- No temporary or portable sign may advertise anything other than the applicant's own activity, business, or event.
- Temporary or portable signs are prohibited on public property, rights-of-way, utility poles, light poles, traffic-control signs, or poles.
- No temporary or portable sign may be displayed for more than 30 days per permit, with a minimum of 30 days between permits.
- No wheeled or portable sign may be displayed that is not operable or has broken exterior parts.
- No billboard may be newly constructed in the city.
- No sign may display visual depictions of the human buttocks, genitals, pubic areas, or portion of the female breast below the top of the nipple where it is visible from public streets or adjacent buildings or premises.
- No sign may advertise 'topless', 'bottomless', or 'nude' entertainment using such words, except 'adult entertainment' or 'adult shows' is permissible, if visible from public streets or adjacent buildings or premises.

## Signs exempt from permit in Watauga

- Official traffic, fire and police signs, signals, devices, and markings by government authorities or posting of notices required by law are exempt from regulations.
- Legal notices, telephone and other underground utility warning signs not exceeding one square foot in size, and other safety signs may be erected without a permit.
- Non-advertising directional or informational signs less than six square feet in area may be used without a permit in specified zoning districts (SFA, SF6, D, MF, MH, LB, GB, and C).
- Memorial signs and historical tablets or plates commemorating a historical event or a memorial to a deceased person not exceeding two square feet in area and permanently fastened to the building surface are allowed; larger ones may be allowed with city council approval.
- Exception to the prohibition on new off-premises signs: government signs erected by the city, county, state, or federal government in furtherance of their governmental responsibility are allowed.
- Real estate signs as specified in Sec. 111-87 (for sale/lease signs, short-term directional 'open house', etc.) do not require a permit if all conditions are met.
- Unlighted political signs without moving elements supporting a candidate, party, or issue do not require a sign permit if all restrictions are met.
- Temporary signs advertising civic or religious events by city-based organizations require a permit but there is no fee.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Detailed plans, including blueprints or ink drawings of plans and specifications, must be submitted with sign permit applications to show construction, attachment, and conformity.
- Elevation drawings of ground signs are required prior to issuance of a building permit.
- Detailed plans of all existing signs, including photos and/or other pertinent data, are to be included in the permit application to aid determination of site conformance.
- Applications for signs not conforming to ordinance or located with other nonconforming signs are subject to review by city manager.
- Variances to requirements may be granted only by the board of adjustment on appeal, subject to hardship and compliance with the spirit and intent of the ordinance.
- Encroachment permits are required for any sign or billboard encroaching on city or state property.
- City council approval may be required for certain sign types or situations (e.g., private street frontage counting as qualified street frontage, additional ground signs at intersections, large memorial signs, theater marquees).

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Watauga, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Watauga+TX&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-watauga

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